Allium scorodoprasum: Difference between revisions
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The '''sand leek''' (''Allium scorodoprasum''), also known as '''rocambole''', is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[Allium|wild onion]]. |
The '''sand leek''' (''Allium scorodoprasum''), also known as '''rocambole''', is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[Allium|wild onion]]. It should not be confused with rocambole garlic, which is ''[[Allium sativum|A. sativum]]'' var. ''ophioscorodon''. |
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==Description== |
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It should not be confused with rocambole garlic, which is ''[[Allium sativum|A. sativum]]'' var. ''ophioscorodon''. |
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The sand leek is a perennial plant with an egg-shaped bulb. The plant produces two to five unstalked leaves, the bases of which are sheath-like. Each leaf blade is broad and linear, flat, with an entire margin and parallel veins. The edges of the leaf and the central vein are rough to the touch. The flowering stem is cylindrical, growing to a height of {{convert|30|to|90|cm|0|abbr=on}} and the upper half is leafless. The whole plant has an onion-like aroma. The [[inflorescence]] is a globular cluster surrounded by membranous bracts in bud which wither when the flowers open. Each individual flower is stalked and has a purple perianth {{convert|4|to|7|mm|2|abbr=on}} long. There are six [[tepal]]s, six stamens and a pistil formed from three fused carpels. Mixed with the flowers are a number of purple [[bulbil]]s. The fruit is a capsule, but the seeds seldom set, and propagation usually takes place when the bulbils are knocked off and grow into new plants.<ref name=NatureGate>{{cite web |url=http://www.luontoportti.com/suomi/en/kukkakasvit/sand-leek |title=Sand leak: ''Allium scorodoprasum'' |publisher=NatureGate |accessdate=2013-12-31}}</ref> |
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==Distribution and habitat== |
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The sand leek is native to most of Europe, including Britain, western Asia and Syria. |
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<ref name=PFAF>{{cite web |url=http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Allium+scorodoprasum |title=''Allium scorodoprasum'' |publisher=Plants For A Future |accessdate=2013-12-31}}</ref> Its natural habitat is damp broad-leaved woodland, forest margins, shores, hillside meadows and hedgerows. It was at one time used as a kitchen herb and can sometimes be found near old habitations.<ref name=NatureGate/> |
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==Cultivation== |
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According to garlic grower Ron Engeland, ''A. scorodoprasum'' is edible but seldom cultivated, and has a shorter flower stalk and fewer and more inconsistently shaped cloves than Rocambole garlic. Sand leek also has a dark violet bulb wrapper.<ref>Growing Great Garlic, 2nd Edition, Filaree Productions, 1992, p. 7.</ref> |
According to garlic grower Ron Engeland, ''A. scorodoprasum'' is edible but seldom cultivated, and has a shorter flower stalk and fewer and more inconsistently shaped cloves than Rocambole garlic. Sand leek also has a dark violet bulb wrapper.<ref>Growing Great Garlic, 2nd Edition, Filaree Productions, 1992, p. 7.</ref> |
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[[Category:Allium|scorodoprasum]] |
[[Category:Allium|scorodoprasum]] |
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[[Category:Plants described in 1753]] |
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]] |
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{{Asparagales-stub}} |
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Revision as of 19:46, 31 December 2013
| Sand leek | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Amaryllidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Allioideae |
| Genus: | Allium |
| Species: | A. scorodoprasum
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| Binomial name | |
| Allium scorodoprasum | |
The sand leek (Allium scorodoprasum), also known as rocambole, is a perennial wild onion. It should not be confused with rocambole garlic, which is A. sativum var. ophioscorodon.
Description
The sand leek is a perennial plant with an egg-shaped bulb. The plant produces two to five unstalked leaves, the bases of which are sheath-like. Each leaf blade is broad and linear, flat, with an entire margin and parallel veins. The edges of the leaf and the central vein are rough to the touch. The flowering stem is cylindrical, growing to a height of 30 to 90 cm (12 to 35 in) and the upper half is leafless. The whole plant has an onion-like aroma. The inflorescence is a globular cluster surrounded by membranous bracts in bud which wither when the flowers open. Each individual flower is stalked and has a purple perianth 4 to 7 mm (0.16 to 0.28 in) long. There are six tepals, six stamens and a pistil formed from three fused carpels. Mixed with the flowers are a number of purple bulbils. The fruit is a capsule, but the seeds seldom set, and propagation usually takes place when the bulbils are knocked off and grow into new plants.[1]
Distribution and habitat
The sand leek is native to most of Europe, including Britain, western Asia and Syria. [2] Its natural habitat is damp broad-leaved woodland, forest margins, shores, hillside meadows and hedgerows. It was at one time used as a kitchen herb and can sometimes be found near old habitations.[1]
Cultivation
According to garlic grower Ron Engeland, A. scorodoprasum is edible but seldom cultivated, and has a shorter flower stalk and fewer and more inconsistently shaped cloves than Rocambole garlic. Sand leek also has a dark violet bulb wrapper.[3]
Elephant garlic (properly A. ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum) is also sometimes incorrectly sold as A. scorodoprasum.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b "Sand leak: Allium scorodoprasum". NatureGate. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
- ^ "Allium scorodoprasum". Plants For A Future. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
- ^ Growing Great Garlic, 2nd Edition, Filaree Productions, 1992, p. 7.